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Chapter 1

Adelsa awoke groggily, the hum of a vehicle beneath him. His eyes fluttered open to the sight of unfamiliar faces. He was in a limousine, the leather seats smooth under his fingertips as he pushed himself upright. 

“Hello,” a soft voice came from his right. 

Adelsa resisted the urge to jump, instead turning his head calmly. A girl with long, glowing blonde hair smiled at him. “I’m sorry,” she continued, her voice gentle. “I can see you’re confused. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Her candidness caught him off guard, but he forced a smile. “Who are you?” he asked, scanning the vehicle. Three other teenagers were seated around him, all watching him intently. “And… who are all of you?”

The girl’s smile widened. “I’m Emma,” she said, pointing to the boy beside her who shared her luminous hair. “This is my brother, Dan. We’re twins.” She winked playfully. 

The other girl, her dark hair tied into a tight bun, looked less than thrilled to be there. “Anna,” she introduced herself with a curt nod.

Across from Adelsa, a boy with deep black eyes stared at him, the intensity of his gaze making Adelsa shiver. “Nate,” the boy said, his voice low.

Adelsa nodded, realising he had forgotten to introduce himself. “I’m Adelsa,” he said, his voice a bit hoarse.

Emma, the apparent extrovert, quickly filled in the silence. “We all woke up here, like you,” she said. “It’s a bit disorienting, but it’s starting to come back to us.”

She explained how she and Dan had been having their last meal at home when their parents told them they were being sent to a special school. “We’re… gifted,” Emma said hesitantly. “I can sense people’s emotions.” She paused, reading his reaction. “That’s why I knew you were confused when you woke up.”

“Dan can see glimpses of the future,” she added, a touch of pride in her voice.

Anna chimed in, her previous aloofness melting away. “I can turn invisible and move through objects,” she said, almost daring him to disbelieve.

“And I can read minds,” Nate said, his eyes narrowing as if trying to probe into Adelsa’s thoughts.

Adelsa shifted uncomfortably. “I… I don’t know what my gift is,” he lied. “I can’t even remember how I got here.”

Nate smirked. “I can help with that,” he said, his voice dripping with self-assurance. He closed his eyes for a moment, then nodded. “Your parents told you to pack your things, but they didn’t give you much time to process it. They knew the school would help you discover your abilities.”

“I still don’t remember,” Adelsa said, frustration creeping into his voice.

Emma placed a reassuring hand on his arm. “It’ll come back to you. We’re all in the same boat.”

The limousine engine roared as they settled back into their seats. Adelsa noticed Nate still watching him, an unsettling expression on his face. “Well, I hope you’re the type that can keep a secret,” Adelsa thought to himself, feeling the weight of the unknown pressing down on him.

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The limousine rolled to a smooth stop, jostling the group awake. Emma sat up, rubbing her eyes, and for the first time, Adelsa saw a small smile tug at the corners of Nate’s mouth. 

The door nearest to Anna swung open, revealing three men in black suits. They were armed with strange silver guns, the muzzles broad and fitted with ominous hooks. Nate was the first to step out, the others following hesitantly.

As soon as Anna exited, the door slammed shut and the limousine sped away, leaving them on the tarmac. The air was crisp and tinged with an unfamiliar scent. Adelsa looked around and saw other limousines pulling up, unloading more teenagers like them. 

Ahead of them stood a formidable structure, a vast and imposing complex that exuded an aura of authority and tradition. The school was made up of several massive buildings, all constructed from dark stone and steel, their surfaces weathered by time yet sturdy and unyielding. The architecture was severe and functional, with straight lines and sharp angles, giving the place an almost fortress-like appearance. Tall, narrow windows dotted the walls, allowing only the barest glimpses inside, while the roofs were topped with dark, slate tiles that seemed to absorb the light.

The buildings rose, their heights varying but all impressive in their scale. The main building, a towering central structure, was the most imposing of all, with a large, arched entrance framed by thick columns of stone. Above the entrance, a large clock was set into the stone, its hands slowly ticking away, adding to the sense of foreboding.

The ground leading up to the school was paved with cobblestones, worn smooth by the passage of countless students over the years. The air was filled with the muted sounds of activity—a low hum of conversation, the occasional barked command from a distant figure, the shuffle of feet on stone.

As they approached, Nate glanced at Adelsa, his voice hushed. “What do you make of it?”

Adelsa’s eyes were fixed on the imposing buildings. “It’s... daunting. Like it’s meant to keep secrets, not share them.”

Nate nodded in agreement, a slight frown on his face. The students, ranging in age from young children to near adults, moved toward the entrance with a mix of awe and trepidation. As they funnelled through the arched doorway, they couldn’t shake the feeling that they were crossing a threshold into a place that was as much a test of endurance as it was of learning.

Once inside, the school’s interior was no less imposing. The main hall was vast, with high ceilings supported by heavy stone columns that reached up toward the shadows above. The walls were lined with ancient tapestries depicting scenes of battles and triumphs with what appeared to be mythical creatures. Large, wrought-iron chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a bright, dazzling light that illuminated even the corners of the hall.

The floor was made of polished stone, cold underfoot, with intricate patterns etched into its surface. The hall was a labyrinth of staircases, some wide and sweeping, others narrow and steep, leading to different wings and floors of the building. The air was thick with the scent of old books and the faint tang of metal, likely from the countless suits of armour that stood in alcoves along the walls, silent sentinels watching over the students.

The corridors branching off from the main hall were narrower, lined with tall bookshelves filled with leather-bound volumes, their spines cracked with age. The lighting was dim, provided by wall sconces that flickered with real flames, casting dancing shadows that gave the place an almost mediaeval feel.

There was a sense of history in every corner of the school, a weight of tradition that pressed down on everyone who entered. The building was not just a place of learning; it was a crucible, a place where students were forged into something stronger, if they could withstand the pressure.

Suddenly, the gates clanged shut behind them, silencing the murmurs of the students. A figure appeared at the top of a grand staircase, a silhouette against the dim light. After a tense moment, the figure stepped forward—a slim man with thick, lustrous grey hair that belied his youthful face. His presence commanded silence as he prepared to speak.

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