Evergreen Academy

Chapter IV

A figure, who had been sitting at a table hardly noticeable until that moment, half hidden behind and almost indistinguishable from the teachers' one, stood up.
As he walked in Ms Blade's direction, Noah recognized that it was a blond boy, probably a couple of years older than him, dressed mostly in white.
The guy nodded and took a deep breath. He carefully removed his jacket. Something moved at his back, but it wasn't until he spread them in all their amazing width that Noah comprehended. White wings glimmered brighter than the marble, capturing the light in the room.
Murmurs of awe rose from the student crowd. He looked like an angel, solemn and dazzling.
Far from being done, the boy showed the room his right palm. An object was taking shape in it. It seemed as if it was being generated from his wrist, as if it was dripping from his veins to condense into something solid in his hand. Yet, there was no injury, and the liquid was of a golden colour.
-A whip...? - Whispered Adam, frowning.
He was right, of course.
With an unexpected gesture, the boy stretched it out toward the centre of the room.
The crowd gasped, the tinkling of a piece of cutlery dropped on the floor echoed from the front tables, Adam grabbed Poppy's hand. But the whip flew high over their head, elongating in an unnatural way to reach the first chandelier. There was a buzz when it touched the candles, a small flash of light, and they ignited. Before the students could even notice, the whip curled back fluidly in the boy's hand, disappearing into his skin.
The room was so quiet Noah could hear his own breath.
-Thank you, Edmund.- Said Ms Blade, dismissing him with a gesture.
He greeted the students with a quick smile and went back to his table.
Only at that point, as if they had been collectively awoken from the break of a spell, the crowd exploded in exclamations of amazement and excitement.
After a couple of attempts to restore silence, Ms. Blade resolved to raise her voice in order to continue her speech. She seemed very pleased with their euphoric reaction, though.
-This school, like many other very special schools around the world, has the specific purpose of selecting the deserving receivers of this gift. Use the occasion wisely.
Now, since there is no winner who can't work in a team, you will all be divided into three groups, three houses: house of Juniper, house of Fir, house of Holly; symbolized respectively by colours blue, white and red.
You will have to stand out, but also to carry the name of your house high, if you want to ensure your success.-
She cleared her throat to recover the thread of her speech.
-It is time to present to you the schedule of the day. You will soon be guided to classes, in random groups, to complete a questionnaire, then to the Gymnasium, where Mx. Talbot, your PE teacher, will coordinate some activities.-
From the table, with a quick greeting sign, Mx. Talbot, a short but athletic middle-aged person, introduced themselves, while Ms. Blade continued.
-Meanwhile, based on your answers, we will compose the houses. After lunch, I will communicate the results, and the rooms will be definitively reassigned, as you will be moving into the wing reserved for your house. From that moment on, your main points of reference will be the head student of your house and their vice. Please, darlings, come here, show yourselves.-
Six boys and girls stood up from the half-hidden table and walked up to the edge of the platform, between them was the winged boy. Noah saw they wore the colors of their house. Angel-boy, apparently the head student of House of Fir, wasn't the only one with extraordinary features: all the three head students had received from the Serum some kind of alteration of their appearances, but it was hard for him to tell exactly what they were, at that distance. He would have asked Poppy later.
-You will have the afternoon off to move into your new rooms and settle in. Lessons will start tomorrow morning at 8. Do your best, and after that, do better. -
Unexpectedly, Ms. Blade sighed, moved.
-For the first time, you will hear the motto of the school. Live up to it, make it your own.
"No nobler threes I've ever seen
Than those that know to embrace the cold
And winter stand thriving and bold,
For that their spirit, bright and keen,
Within their roots, their core they hold.
Long life to all the Evergreens!"
Thank you.-
Since it seemed to be what was expected from them, the students clapped. Noah noticed that many, though, were quite genuinely excited.
Ms. Blade took a step in the direction of the stairs, only to rapidly turn back.
-Oh, I've almost forgotten... I highly recommend you not to try any careless getaway. The next inhabited centre is further than what you could cover in three days of walking through the forest. The most raw and harsh nature surrounds us. This area is infested by highly dangerous and aggressive animals. Alas, once you step out, your survival will no longer be our responsibility. But you should be totally safe as long as you stay inside the campus. After all, it's not when immersed in the common crowd that you can find your own truths. Good continuation.-
With a polite smile, Ms. Blade left the microphone.
Noah and Poppy had tensed up.
Adam made a face, a whisper came up to his lips, -Where the hell have we ended up...?-.