The Academy

Four

   As the last person was called up and sent to fire, Diana once again took the stage. "Can we have another round of applause for our new students?" All the students clapped and cheered. "Representatives, would you please escort the new students to their rooms? After that we will be having a banquet in honor of their arrival!" Everybody stood up, then walked out, led by the four leaders. I followed the rest of the water students. All the groups stayed together for a bit, but each soon branched off. The halls were each unique. One was entirely made of polished quartz. Another had paintings of space on the walls. One had weapons hanging on the walls, swords, bows, and knives. Finally we came to a tall door painted blue with a silver wolf traced on the door. It had no door knob. Instead of opening it, Darius pressed his palm against the door. For a second nothing happened, but then the door slid into the ceiling. He walked in. When I saw the room, I gasped.

   The floor was cold stone with blue swirls that seemed to shift shades. The room was dimly lit by crystals in the walls. Water trickled from the ceiling and into small bowls on pedestals like the ones from the stage. there were small booths hollowed out into the walls where kids were sitting down and talking. The room was bigger than two of my houses put together. One section caught my eyes. A silver line traced a large circle about the size of three large tables pushed together. On the side of the circle opposite from us sat a wolf statue staring at us with blue eyes like the one in the courtyard. "Welcome to the water dormitories. There are only four new students, so someone please show them around. I have to go work on some stuff. I'll see you guys at dinner." He said in a flat monotone voice. Then he left down some hallway.

   Another kid stepped up, a boy. "Hey guys! I'm Kevin, and I will be showing you guys around. Oh, and don't mind Darius. We haven't seen him smile once in the two years since he enrolled. He certainly didn't become representative through his charming personality. Anyways, you guys are all fourteen right?" I nodded, as the other three did. "Cool. This is the entryway, as we call it, and where most kids chill before bed or during free time, if not hanging out with other students or in the courtyard. That's simple enough. But what is this silver circle? This is a duel circle. If you don't know, one fourth of your education is dedicated to learning combat. Leaders are chosen through trial by combat. The top five in each element get special dorms. I'm number five, by the way." He pauses. "Anybody want to duel for a demonstration?" Two kids step up. Both pull out swords and step into the circle. The circle lights up. "Duelers!" Kevin shouts. "Positions! Fight!" Both spring into action like coiled snakes. Before I can even comprehend what's happening, one is already pinned. "Jack wins, taking Noah's place as number twelve. Sorry Noah, but you're thirteen now. Thanks for the demonstration." Jack pulls Noah up, then shakes his hand. The put their swords in their sheaths and sit back down.

   "And that's your average duel. Usually duels aren't in circle's, but if you want I to be official then do it in a circle. Anyways, The girls dorms are over there, and the boys in that distraction. There are names on the door. So... you know. Go in yours. Any questions?" One new kid, a blonde boy dressed in casual clothes, spoke up. "How do you know we would be put into this element?" He inquired. I tilted my head in confusion. He's right. How? Kevin winks. "Lets just say that surprises can't always surprise some people. Now go unpack and get ready. Then the banquet!"

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  "Guess this is our room." The other new girl says a little shyly as we walk down the hallway to the last door. Sure enough, to name are engraved on the blue wooden door, of course in silver, reading 'Melody' and below that, 'Aini'. "Your name is Aini?" I questioned. "Yes. And your is Melody?" I nod and open the door. The room is nothing like the rest of the hallways. Sure, the walls are painted blue. But its brightly lit and carpeted a nice teal color. The two sides of the room are identical, each having a desk and chair, a wardrobe,and a soft bed with white sheets and blankets. Overall its a simple, but nice room except for two things that Aini and I don't notice. As I throw my clothes into the wardrobe, I look up. "Wow." I gasp. I lay down on my bed and gaze at the ceiling. Aini looks up and immediately does the same. The ceiling is made entirely of crystal clear glass, and above that is water. The rooms probably line up under one of the streams, because the sun is shining through the fairly deep water. Fish dart through the water, and not just minnows. Elegant fish that I've never heard of swim around, spotted and striped, purple or black, big or small. It was like something from a movie.

    "That is amazing." Aini whispered. "Agreed." I replied. Before we could elaborate further on that, there was a knock at the door.

Hey guys! Thanks for reading. Sorry for the short chapter. I'll try to make the next longer. I just wanted to say that. Anything else? *Checks list* Yep. Nothing else. Anyways,

Stay Freezing!

-ShockinglyFrosty