The city lights were as bright as ever when they arrived in the city late in the evening. Zahn stepped out of the car and looked up at the building that would become his new home for the next few years of his life. So many thoughts, worries, and excitement. Yuu waved from the car and drove off. Zahn smiled and walked into the building to a stunting scene.
The inside of the building was astonishing. Bright lights and crystals reflecting the light all over the room. The lobby was full of people, but the room was still full of space. Zahn was able to feel energy flowing all around him. It was warm and electric.
“Sir, please step this way to finish registration for your room and collect your scan for your schedule tomorrow.” The lady behind the desk in the center of the lobby said as she motioned for Zahn to approach.
Zahn walked over to the desk to meet the lady. She was wearing a black dress and had long brown hair that flowed with every movement she made.
She spoke with elegance. “Hello! What is your name, please?”
Zahn replied, “Zahn Novix. This place is stunning!”
“It must be your first time in the city, sir.”, she said with a small giggle.
Zahn laughed and said, “Well not exactly, but it is soon to be my new home for a while so I need to get used to it.”
She smiled and glanced around before whispering, “You’ll get used to it, but the real fun happens after hours.” She pauses to glance once more. “Look for the Lyr district.” She lets out a small cough and composes herself. “Ok, sir, please place your hand on this pad here.”
Zahn was confused and still thinking about the Lyr district that she mentioned before, but he placed his hand on the pad as she asked. The pad scanned his hand and a camera scanned his face.
The lady smiled and said, “Thank you, Mr. Novix! I hope you enjoy your time here. Please wait here in the lobby for a few more minutes. There will be someone to address all of you soon. If you need anything else my name is Viki.”
Zahn thanked her and began to walk around the lobby to find somewhere to stand. As he continued to walk around he began to sense more and more energy from everyone in the room. He was trying to learn more about how energy worked and how much each person had. There were many theories that he was formulating in his head. Does the amount of energy a person has determine the strength of the person? How can he sense everyone else’s energy, but he can’t seem to sense his own? The most confusing question that he had was why everyone’s energy seemed so small in comparison to the energy pods he filled up back in Grith?
Zahn found a spot off to the side of the lobby next to one of the crystal stands in the building. He started looking around at the others in the lobby to see who he would be going to the academy with. Majority of the people in the room matched the rest of the people around the city, but everyone looked more eccentric than anyone Zahn had ever been around.
After a short while of looking around Zahn noticed a man step forward on the balcony above the lobby. The man was wearing a white suit and his hair was a dark red. Zahn wasn’t able to see him very well from where he was standing, but he was able to make out his side profile.
The man cleared his throat with a slight cough and began to speak. “Hello everyone! Welcome to Hotel Verdan. This beautiful hotel will be your new home for the next 3 years of your lives. This may seem like a long time, but when you live forever time becomes irrelevant. My name is Markris Trip. I am the director of the intro program at the esteemed immortal academy of New Proxon, Draken Academy. Founded by the wonderful Seth Draken. Awoken as an Immortal over 525 years ago and is now the president of the academy and the board of the awoken of New Proxon.”
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Markris continued to speak more and more about the academy and the new life that was about to unfold before Zahn. Zahn held onto every word, for a moment at least. A new energy became present in the room as Zahn turned to look at the side of the balcony at a man standing and looking down at all of the newcomers. He was clad in what appeared to be some type of body armor. It was strange. The armor seemed to fit like a shirt, but Zahn was able to make out the material to be different from normal clothing. The man looked down at Zahn when a sudden burst of pain entered into Zahn’s head. He retreated his glare and began holding his head for a moment. The man walked towards Markris and took a stance beside him as he continued his speech.
“This ladies and gentlemen is the combat instructor for Draken Academy, Trux Vel. Immortal for a little over 200 years now. He will be the main instructor for all combat for your first year here at the academy.”, Markris finished and took a step back.
Trux stepped forward and began looking at all of the newcomers with disdain.
“When I look at you all, I question the works of this world. People born in this world. Destined for a great gift–only to waste it year after year. I will be the toughest opponent you will ever have to face in this academy. I will not waver in my efforts to train you or kill you. As far as I am concerned your lives, your immortality, and your existence means nothing to me until you prove it should. But…”, he looks towards Zahn as he is recovering from the pain in his head then continues. “At least some here show potential.”
He steps away and walks through the halls behind him. Everyone in the room was stunned. What could they say? They were all told they were worthless. Zahn felt as if he was issued a challenge. A challenge that he was not afraid to accept.
Markris stepped forward once more to finish off the speech.
“Yes, well he’s not exactly the brightest light in the night sky is he? Anyway, it is not always easy following up after him because he tends to bring the mood of the room way down. Luckily, I have an idea of what may increase everyone’s morale! Your classes will begin in the morning at 8am please do not be late. There is no curfew; however, we do our very best to monitor our students. If you are found going somewhere that you shouldn’t be or doing something you shouldn’t be, we will know. If you are curious, Trux is the disciplinary advisor of the academy. Make your decisions carefully. As far as attendance goes, we do have a very very open policy. You are all immortals. You are held to much different standards than normal humans, and you are all adults as far as we are concerned. If you wish to ruin your life or better it, it does not concern us. However, we will not be made a joke of. If your behavior threatens our reputation as an esteemed institution, you will be dealt with. Now, enough with the annoying things! The finest food and drinks money can buy is through the doorways to your right. It is currently 11pm at night so please carry on as you wish and welcome to Draken Academy!”, Markris finished as he walked away in the direction of Trux.
In the room where Markris and Trux went into stood four individuals. Trux and Markris sat down onto a couch in the room. A woman with long white hairs and glasses spoke up to the two of them.
“Well? What do you think of this year’s students? Anyone standing out as of right now?”, she said in a playful voice.
Markris responded, “I saw a couple that seemed to have an interesting physical build. May end up becoming the next Striker Xan. What about you, Trux? You said you saw some potential in some during your speech.”
Trux laughed. “That was a lie.”
The group began to laugh along with him before he spoke once more.
“Apart from one.”, he said with a smile.
The woman interjected, “Oh! Someone peeking the interest of the stone cold Trux? Do tell us more!”
He responded, “Well, when I walked into the lobby I increased my energy output and one of the students noticed. I confirmed it by increasing it more and he began holding his head in pain. He’s sharp. I could not sense much energy from him, but if he is able to sense the energy of others this early he will most likely have a pretty good energy rating.”
The four of them looked at each other and began talking about the plans for the upcoming year and how much fun they were going to have with the newcomers.
Back in the lobby Zahn decided not to go eat and instead wanted to go to his room. After a short elevator trip to the 8th floor he made it to his room. He was astonished when he walked in. The room was just like the room when he was brought in for his Immortal test. It was vast with a kitchen, an office, and this time it even had a balcony and another bedroom. As he walked into the master bedroom he noticed a few bags on the floor and a note. He picked up the note to read what it said:
< Hello! I hope you enjoy these outfits that I have selected for you! I tried my best to match them to your personality as well as your physical features. I think these will look very flattering on you! I have already included on each one what it pairs well with as well as what can be mixed and matched with other items of clothing. Thank you once again for choosing Immortal Apparel! >
The noted was signed at the bottom with the initials “ S. Q.”. She must have been the woman that was so close to me that day Zahn thought to himself as he started to blush. He decided to wait until the morning to go through the outfits that had been sent to him. All he wanted to do was sleep. Zahn continued to ponder on the possibilities of tomorrow and what may happen as he drifted off to sleep for the final time before his first day at Draken Academy.