Judgement

Sitting in the Rolls Royce— I looked out the window, still wearing the black compression shirt and white joggers. The cityscape blurring past as we drove. In the background Leon's playlist was playing; it wasn't horrible. Corvus snoozed atop my head like a lazy house cat, completely unbothered by the blur of the city. We were headed to New Washington Awakened Academy— it was going to be my first time seeing it in its glory.

As we drove, my stomach tightened the closer we got. It wasn't the Academy itself I was hesitant about, it was who I'd meet there. The No. 1 Academy in America likely attracts wealthy students. Which means all kinds of power games and cliques—and I want no part of any of it.

I won't ever be someone's pawn— follower— slave ever again.

My plan was to rank just low enough to stay under the radar—just above failing, just forgettable enough. Basically following Joseph's advice from the barbershop.

I wasn't joining today, I was just meeting with the headmaster or 'old fuck' as Leon dubbed him. If today went well, I would be joining at the start of next week.

"Yo Kerry, look in front of us— we're here!" Leon chirped, interrupting my train of thought.

I replied with a glare before directing my gaze out of the front window; A wall, it was a massive-ass metallic wall. Not quite the magical castle I was expecting— come on, where's my Hogwarts?

I looked back at Leon with a deadpan expression— my disappointment palpable.

"That's it… this is the great New Washington Awakened Academy— a huge-ass wall?" I inquired.

Leon put on his ever-infuriating grin, making me want to rip my eyes out. He rhythmically tapped the steering wheel.

"Kerrigan don't judge a book by its cover, the real thing is behind those 'Huge-ass' walls."

My eyes widened. Maybe I do judge too fast.

In the next 5 minutes or so, we arrived at a large mechanical gate. Its design was wildly futuristic— a metal sheet with intricate patterns of pulsating blue lights. There were two guards stationed there, one on either side of the gate. My eyes stared incredulous— these were the most beefed-up guards I've ever seen, even Leon's security wasn't this beefed up.

They were strong— very much so.

The burly man on the left approached Leon's already-lowered window. Upon recognizing him, he gave a nod and signaled the other guard. The remaining guard nodded before taking out a tabloid device from his waist— typing into it.

Fsshhh

The hydraulics of the gate hummed to life as the guard inputted a string of code onto his device. The pulsating blue lights changed its hue to a gentle green— whilst opening Pandora's box.

Click! 

Once the gate was fully open— Leon drove through, into a dark metallic tunnel with a light at its end. I was finally going to see it— a part of me felt excited. It was also going to be the first time I'd be seeing other awakeners my age, although I wasn't looking forward to it didn't mean I wasn't interested. 

Leon smirked as he put the pedal to the metal— speeding through the corridor at not-so safe speeds.

"This part's always fun!" He yelled as we tore through the corridor like an F1 car. I instinctively latched onto the grab-handle— he wasn't wrong about the fun, my heart was racing. 

As we tore through the corridor, the light at the end grew larger.

And then we emerged.

The Academy revealed itself before my eyes.

"What the…"

The Academy— if you can call it that, was more like a city. My eyes widened incredulously, there were houses, flats and mansions and in the distance a towering castle which I can only assume to be the main academy.

My bewildered gaze met Leon's smirking face. He noticed my expression, pleased by it.

"What is this place… it's fucking huge…" I stammered in shock.

Leon chuckled heartily as he answered.

"This is the New Washington Awakened Academy, it's 500 acres of greatness. The main education complex takes up about 200. Tournament grounds are another 100. The rest is student housing."

I slumped in my seat as I stared at the grandeur in front of me.

"Wow… I don't even know what to say…"

We then drove for another 15 minutes to reach the gargantuan castle which stood proudly in the epicenter. Its outer walls, decorated with black bricks and a large golden emblem of the school— a black three headed dragon. The time was 1.30pm, students were exiting the medieval building— it was lunchtime.

They would've gone about their time, eating their lunch but no. They encircled the Rolls Royce enamored by the presence of the Leon Horton. Students adorned in white blazers and black shirts— all taking out their phones stealing pics of Leon.

In the car I sat uncomfortably— Corvus woke up pissed from the cacophony of noises, mewling angrily. I shared his sentiments— I turned to face Leon who was taking off his seatbelt. The bastard was enjoying the attention, that fucking smug smile!

"Let's go Kerrigan, That old fuck doesn't like to wait." He chortled as he opened the door.

I nodded as I unbuckled my seatbelt, patting Corvus on his tiny head before exiting the luxury vehicle.

I kept my face blank, jaw loose, gaze unfocused—like I didn't give a shit as I walked around the Rolls Royce standing beside Leon. Internally, I was freaking out as I've never had this many people, the same age as me, swarming around me.

The cacophony of chatter came to a pin-drop silence once they noticed me. Their features contort in confusion and judgement. A wave of insecurity flooded me— instinctively trying to hide the scars which mar my body. 

Then a brave soul walked up, The guy had that calm, unbothered energy that made you either respect him or hate him. Dark skin, cornrows trailed his scalp in perfect symmetry, eyes like he could see your bluff before you even played it.

He gave me a once-over and smirked.

Great. Another person who already thinks they've figured me out.

"Uhmm… Mr. Horton who's that?"

I clenched my jaw as I could feel the prejudice dripping from that simple question. Leon didn't miss the tone and momentarily hardened his features— the student's smirk faded.

"Josiah, this is my disciple, Kerrigan." Leon spoke, his tone overflowing with pride.

'Fuck, he just had to expose me'

A conglomeration of audible gasps flooded the vicinity— they couldn't believe that Leon Horton. One of the highest ranked awakeners in the world, well known for refusing to mentor the children of the patriarchs of the 4 Great Clans… having a disciple.

The boy named Josiah looked at me incredulous, his voice stammering "What… disciple… wha—"

I took a step forward as I looked into his golden eyes with my heterochromatic ones. Interrupting in a calm voice.

"Can you move— I have a meeting with the headmaster."

Josiah glared at me as if I'd slapped him in the face— I maintained my indifferent gaze. He then relented and stepped back into the crowd.

"The rumours were true, Mr. Horton did take in a nameless mutt, just look at his eyes, he looks like one." he spat bitterly under his breath as he turned to the people near him.

I couldn't give a damn so I strode on to the entrance of the castle, splitting the sea of students like Moses. Leon followed behind me as he glanced at students behind him— all of them trying their best to hide their disappointment. Leon then walked beside me and guided me to an elevator— we got in the metal compartment and Leon clicked the highest floor; commencing our ascent.

An awkward silence settled in, filled by the gentle hum of the elevator's ascent.

"Tough crowd… they're going to be a pain in the ass" I sighed as I put my hand to my forehead— rubbing the bridge of my nose.

Leon nodded as he kissed his teeth "I knew you would have a bad reception but not this bad— it's like you're a…"

"Villain?" I finished his sentence as I glanced at him exasperatedly.

He nodded with a wry smile— even Corvus was empathetic, gently tugging my hair as he mewled. Since we could sense one another's emotions due to the blood pact it was easy to understand one another.

Ding!

Both Leona and I straightened up simultaneously; we were finally here. The doors split apart— exposing a regal, almost royal, corridor. As if the Headmaster loved himself, a bit too much.

"Sheesh… This is a bit much, even for a Headmaster…" I mumble under my breath.

Leon nodded "That's what I always say to Minerva."

We both then walked along the corridor leading to a rich mahogany pair of doors— golden handles accentuating its regality. Leon then softly knocked three times as we held our breath.

'Why was this nervous?'

"Come in…" A low gruff voice approved our entry.

I gulped, why did he have to sound scary for fuck's sake.

Leon opened the door deftly to reveal a grand room. The room's walls were blood-red, decorated with the heads of slain abhorrents— their mugs contorted in agony. In front of me was a dark oak table— sitting there was Minerva looking at us with a gentle smile. The man sitting opposite her held a different expression entirely— his lilac eyes of judgement bore into my soul. The man was in his early-forties, his head had a clean buzz with a scar across his left eye. He was dressed in military clothing— a sleek black uniform speckled in badges of honour.

I read the man's badge name, Alaric Cassius.

This man is terrifying'

I felt an overbearing pressure over my body— this man was already testing me, letting his mana flow into the environment. Leon and Minerva were obviously unaffected due their strength, I was a different case. Breathing was harder, moving was harder. If I didn't force every muscle contract, I would've collapsed to the floor.

"You finally made it, I hope the trip wasn't too long" Minerva chimed in oblivious to my plight.

I nodded with a forced smile "No, it was alright Ms. Minerva"

Minerva then gestured to me to take a seat in front of Headmaster Cassius— I gulped before trepidatiously taking a seat. The man nodded pleased that I could withstand his mana and intensified it, testing me further. I grit my teeth— clenched my knuckles till they were white, I did anything to hide my struggle.

Even Corvus whimpered, curling closer to my neck. Leon then finally spoke up.

"Cassius, this is Kerrigan— the disciple I've taken in recently. Minerva must've already filled you in on his feats and why I have chosen him."

Headmaster Cassius nodded as his gaze shifted to Leon, his overbearing pressure alleviating. 

"Yes Mr. Horton, I have heard from Ms. Scott the accomplishments of this young man…" his gaze shifted to me, more specifically my scars. He looked at the marks of my failures, the large gash on my neck and the 5 streams of scar tissue on my left forearm. Feeling his judgemental gaze, I hid them without thinking— my insecurity flaring. "Don't hide your scars Kerrigan, it shows that you're a survivor."

Reluctantly I reveal my scars— biting my lip to suppress my shame. The man then nodded, muttering under his breath.

"You're quite the anomaly Kerrigan, survived Point Zero, survived Araca, killed abhorrents and people alike…" He leant back in his chair before continuing.

"You have combat and survival experience which outclasses that of the top 20 students of this prestigious academy. Tell me, why do you wish to attend New Washington Awakened Academy, Kerrigan?"

The overbearing pressure of his mana alleviated allowing me to catch my breath— sit more comfortably. With a wary gaze I met his eyes before answering.

"I wish to attend New Washington Awakened Academy so that I can get my Awakener's license." 

"Why do you need an Awakener's license?" He retorted at a deliberately slow pace.

"So that I can go hunt Araca." I promptly respond as I remind myself of my why.

"Why do you need to hunt Araca?" He rebutted immediately.

Leon and Minerva stiffened at that question, knowing that it was a sensitive topic with me. I responded, my voice dripping with wrath.

"So that I can put them through the same suffering they put me through."

Headmaster Cassius looked at me for a good moment with an eyebrow raised— studying my expressions and every twitch and tremble.

"So it's revenge you seek then Kerrigan, not friends, not an education, not empowerment just revenge." He broke the uneasy silence.

I went quiet at his affirmation. He wasn't wrong— not in the fucking slightest. Did I feel bad about that… Hell NO!

"Yes Headmaster, all I want is revenge, I don't care about anything else." I boldly admit.

Cassius' expression hardened as he bore his gaze on my determined gaze, I didn't relent— I knew what I wanted, I wasn't ashamed of it in the slightest. Corvus could sense my determination and nuzzled into my head.

Leon and Minerva were sweating bullets behind me— in their point of view, I just back-talked to the man responsible for my future.

Suddenly, Headmaster Cassius broke out into a bellowing laugh— which rattled the very bones in my body. Everyone in the room stiffened— Corvus even mewled in fear.

Looking at my figure, Headmaster Cassius smiled as he stood up and placed an arm on my shoulder.

"You have balls of steel Child, back-talking to me like that. I respect that, you know what you want— it's not my place to judge, I personally find it quite admirable."

Blankly I stared, I didn't know how to respond just nodding— behind me Leon and Minerva were equally baffled. They've never seen the Headmaster laugh, let alone smile.

"You've met the criteria for how a student at this prestigious institute should be. Congratulations, you are now a first-year student of New Washington Awakened Academy." His voice bellowed, returning to its stern tone, his smile fading.

"You will not be given a rank until the start of the new year where the ranks are determined via a tournament."