Jasmin counted down the days to the initiation ceremony like a prisoner waiting for his release. The day before, she couldn't sleep because the excitement, and somewhat anxiety, ate her up from the inside. She spent the whole day preparing herself mentally and getting ready until, finally, it was time to leave.
She put her Strawberry blonde hair into a nice ponytail and left a few face-framing strands hanging. Before leaving she applied a rose colored lip tint on her plump lips and took a deep breath.
"This is what you always dreamed about. Don't mess this up." she whispered to herself in the mirror and gave herself a reassuring smile.
Luckily, the university wasn't too far from her house so she could easily walk there. It's not like she had a choice though. The university didn't have any parking space anyway since it was build hundreds of years ago where cars weren't even invited.
The walk there wasn't exactly pleasant. The moon hung low in the sky, its pale light illuminating the path beneath her, the night thick and heavy with silence. The soft breeze wrapped around her like a cloak, making her feeling like she was suffocating with nervousness. Jasmin couldn't shake the feeling of being watched but for her own sanity she shook that feeling off. After what felt like an eternity she finally arrived.
The university stood tall in front of her. She couldnt't even see the end of the towers at the sides of the building since they were engulved in the heavy mist of the night sky. The doors were wide open, yes, but they certainly didn't look very inviting. The whole picture looked scary, yet still held a certain grace to it.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"8:50 pm. Let's do this." she thought to herself after looking at her wristwatch and taking the deepest breath she could take.
She got all her courage and motivation together and stepped into the enormous building. Her gaze instantly went to the ceiling which was covered with beautiful ancient paintings as far as the eye could see. Looking down again she almost stumbled over a sign pointing to the direction of the hall where the ceremony will be held. To her luck, no one was around to see that.
"Get your shit together Jasmin! You can't emberass yourself before even actually attending the university!" she cursed herself in her thoughts.
When she entered the hall it was bigger than she imagined. It was filled with chairs that where occupied mostly. At the end of the hall was a stage with a podium made of marble. Everything looked really old but still well maintained, you could definetly tell this university had money and knew how to spend it well.
Seeing that the next empty chair was in the first row she awkwardly made her way up there. Some curious students turned to look at her since she was one of the last people to arrive. Jasmin couldn't tell if they were also new or if they are already established students there, since everyone had to wear the uniform. Finally, she sat down and let out a small breath, because now she just had to sit and listen to what the head of the university had to say.
At exactly 9 pm a tall, slender man ( ;) ) walked on the stage and placed himself behind the podium. He cleared throat before beginning to speak in a british accent:
"Dear esteemed students of Greystone Hall,
I am Dr. Elias Ravenscroft and tonight, as you gather within these halls, you stand at the beginning of a remarkable journey—one surrounded in history, challenge, and discovery. Welcome to Greystone Hall University, where knowledge intertwines with mystery, and the pursuit of truth is both an honor and a burden.
You are now part of a lineage that stretches back to the year 1298, when the very stones of this institution were laid by those who dared to dream beyond the ordinary. Here, you will learn not just from textbooks, but from the whispers of the past, the echoes of great minds who walked these corridors before you. Every corner of Greystone is covered with secrets waiting to be unearthed, and it is your responsibility to seek them out.
But let me be clear: this journey will not be easy. You will encounter ideas that unsettle you, concepts that challenge your beliefs, and questions that have no simple answers. Embrace this discomfort, for it is in the shadows of uncertainty that true understanding takes root. Remember, knowledge is not a destination but a winding path—one that requires resilience, curiosity, and, at times, a willingness to wander into the unknown.
In closing, I welcome you once more to Greystone Hall. Embrace the journey that lies before you, the challenges and the triumphs, the shadows and the light. You are the guardians of our legacy now, entrusted with the sacred duty to seek knowledge, challenge the unknown, and carry forth the flame of curiosity.
May your time here be transformative and illuminating, and may you find within yourselves the strength to unravel the mysteries that await.
Thank you."
The dean bows and leaves the stage, shortly followed by another person getting behind the podium. She introduced herself as Mrs. Clouds and explained to us how things will work around here. We got our schedule for the first semester which was catered to our interests and strengths as well as a small tour around the huge building.
Turns out, only a total of 15 people were accepted for this semester, one of them being Jasmin. No one dared to speak to each other during the tour since everyone was intimidated by the mystery and secrecy the university held.
