XCER

Chapter 02

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to Verdian Academy," a man with long, flowing white hair intoned, his voice slicing through the murmur of the assembly. I surveyed the headmasters assembled, catching a glimpse of my brother among them. A small, secretive smile curled at my lips as I saw him signal me with a subtle cross of his fingers—our unspoken code.

The headmaster's voice was rich and imposing as he recounted the school's illustrious history, a legacy of over 500 years where the Masters of each House had forged an institution of not just learning but of skill and supremacy. As he listed the various Houses—Peralas, Alakais, Emersons—the students eagerly raised their hands. But when he mentioned Xcer, silence fell.

"Impressive, truly," the headmaster remarked, noting the lack of raised hands from the Xcer hopefuls. "Everyone should have their room assignments by now," he added, prompting a chorus of affirmations from the students. Jaxsper and I remained silent. He leaned in, whispering that his letter bore the letter 'J.' I remained silent, pondering the blankness of my own letter.

As the headmaster instructed everyone to proceed to their homerooms, I saw my brother give me another urgent signal. Something was wrong. I quickly retrieved a blank sheet of paper and a pen from my bag, sketching the scenes I had encountered on my way to the academy, including the layout of the grounds. I remembered how the academy was divided into four sections, mirroring the cardinal directions of our world, Nova: Solstice to the north, Elysium to the south, Vermilion to the east, and Aetheria to the west—where Xcer was located.

Lost in my thoughts, I looked up to find all eyes, save for those of the headmasters, fixed on me. "She's a blanker," a woman with red hair sneered, and my brother nodded slightly in acknowledgment. Jaxsper had vanished, leaving me under the scrutinizing gaze of the crowd. As I began to head towards the west wing, a voice cut through my reverie. "Hey, all Xcer people, I think our letters spell out a word for our room," a girl with blonde hair called out, her voice echoing through the hall. I recognized her as Aria, the princess of Elysium. Her words stirred curiosity among the Xcer students, making me wonder about the significance of our room assignments.

As I approached the Xcer building, a voice interrupted my thoughts. "Hey, you with the red clip, what are you?" The voice was sharp, but I chose to ignore her. I hoped Valance had seen the exchange and understood the unspoken message behind my silence.

At the entrance of the Xcer section, I pushed open the door, greeted by the rich scent of oak and the promise of new knowledge. At the end of the hallway loomed a massive door, its intricate floral designs beckoning me forward. I hesitated briefly before stepping inside.

To my surprise, my brother was standing at the podium, no doubt having used his ray to get here so swiftly. "Wow, first to Miss Lira," he remarked with a hint of approval in his voice. I took my seat at the front, ensuring an unobstructed view, and stashed my paper back into my bag.

Absentmindedly twirling my ring, I dropped my pen. Before I could retrieve it, a hand appeared, picking it up for me. I looked up to find a stranger whose features were both mesmerizing and alien. His long hair framed his face in a halo of light, and his eyes—an intense shade of purple—held a depth I had never seen. His skin was a smooth, subtle gray, and his features—large eyes, high nose, and lightly pink lips—suggested he was from Solstice.

He extended the pen towards me, a gesture that spoke louder than words. I whispered, "Finders, keepers," acknowledging the silent connection between us. He understood, his gaze lingering on mine in a wordless conversation.

As he placed the pen in his pencil case, our silence deepened, filled with unspoken questions and emotions. I mentally eliminated possibilities, trying to discern who he might be.

Unexpectedly, he retrieved another pen from his case and offered it to me—a black fountain pen. I accepted it, a smirk briefly touching my lips.

However, as I glanced towards the front of the room, a realization struck me. My brother, Valance, was watching us intently. Hastily, I concealed the pen in my bag, casting a furtive glance at Valance, who seemed absorbed in his papers. Mr. Purple Eyes' gaze lingered, a silent testament to the enigma he represented.

The door swung open, and Purple Eyes turned to face me. I held my ground, determined not to betray any emotion. The silent exchange between us had to remain hidden.

Students began to fill the room, their footsteps echoing like a distant storm. I counted them quietly, a distraction from the intensity of the moment—about twenty-eight, I estimated, as they settled into their seats.

"Hello, students. I am Mr. Aetheria, Prince of Aetheria, descendant of Xcer," he began, his voice resonating with authority. "Welcome to Verdian Academy. Look around you; these will be your family for the next three years. Some may be lost, and some may survive Xcer." His words weighed heavily, underscoring the gravity of our journey.

He held up a badge—the symbol of Xcer. "This week, you will settle in. Placement begins next week, but don't become too comfortable. You never know what might happen. Xcer is dismissed." Aria, ever outspoken, voiced her frustration. "That's it?!" she demanded, her anger palpable.

Mr. Aetheria's eyes, glowing with a fierce yellow light, met hers. "You want more?" he challenged, his tone unyielding. Aria stumbled back into her seat, silenced.

As I rose from my seat, the weight of all eyes on me felt like a suffocating presence. Each footstep resonated through the silence as I made my exit.

Outside the classroom, my thoughts were consumed by placement—the pivotal focus of every student's mind. Each action, every decision held weight, a constant reminder of what was at stake.

Descending the stairs, I heard footsteps behind me. Before I could react, I was shoved against the wall. Aria stood before me, her ray pressing down with a malevolent force. "Get off her, Aria," a commanding voice cut through the tension. "Devian, she was the one who knew everything but didn't tell us—what a bitch," Aria laughed, her friends joining in.

"Let her go," Devian's voice was firm and unyielding.

Aria, begrudgingly, released me. I slipped away, grateful for the intervention. Walking through the corridors, I slipped on my headphones, the name Devian echoing in my mind.