Pantheo High: Enrollment

Pre-Tour Warnings

As Psyche was sitting right in front of Albedo's desk, she looked around her office. It was large, four-walled walls were painted light yellow, with walnut brown wooden linings. The side walls were decorated: a fully stacked bookshelf on the left, and a shiny metal cabinet. Behind its sliding glass doors are a collection of trophies that filled up every space, as if they were just crammed in there. Albedo's desk was something else: a stout, wooden oak block that was right below her chest level, with its three sides engraved with scenes of torture, enslavement, and cruelty. The corners were curved outward, with engraved pillars that had claws on the foot, and a three-headed dog on the uppermost part of the pillar. The top was flat and covered with a red satin sheet. 

On the top left of Albedo's desk is a stack of files that reached her head level. The floor was made of white tiles, which gave a smooth feel to the floor. With the smell of newly installed air conditioning and the giant window right behind Albedo's desk, the whole place had a Ye Olde English vibe, mixed with a modern workplace. In Psyche's mind, she was still a bit confused. She just escaped from a pack of gryphons that wanted to turn her into their own personal chew toy, and she's the one being punished. But then again, it would be difficult to punish a gust of cremated gryphon. While she rocked her feet on her wooden stool, Albedo was at her desk, sitting on obsidian, thronelike chair, with brown leather padding on both armrests, backrest, and seat, with the back rest's top shaped with a smooth curve.

Albedo: Hmm. Looks like your little race around the forest burrows garnered a massive following. Using one of our dragons, no less. 

At that moment, Psyche was a bit annoyed at the woman. She was the one attacked by a pack of hungry gryphons, and she's being scolded for defending herself and leaving a scratch on a basketball court? But then, Albedo leaned on her desk, propping her elbows and her arms clasped together with her chin resting on them.

Albedo: This could be grounds for suspension or even immediate expulsion. Just be grateful that Beatrice explained the whole situation. I'm sorry you had to go through such a traumatic experience.

Psyche: It's fine. I mean, it happens, right?

Albedo nods grimly and unclasped her hands as she leaned back on her chair.

Albedo: True. But I would like you to know that your safety, and everyone elses in Pantheo High, is The Administration's top priority. I would advise that you put this whole incident behind you and move on. It will be a bit easy on both of us if we could just... pretend this never happened. The last thing we need is mass panic, especially during the first day.

Something was off from the moment she said these words, Psyche thought. The look in her eye, the way she slightly squinted, it was as if she wanted her to bury a body. But, Psyche didn't want to get involved just yet. She had enough action for one day.

Psyche: Okay.

Albedo smiled in content and handed Psyche a set of shiny silver keys, with a worn out, laminated white tag with an inscription written in cursive: 13.

Albedo: Here are your dorm house keys. The maintenance staff is bringing your luggage there as we speak. B was sent home for today after the doctor examined her. 

Psyche: Is she okay?

 Albedo sighs.

Albedo: She'll pull through, as always. Anyway, I think it's best that you head on for now. Go get yourself a seat in the covered court for the general assembly. Once you're out, go to the left, then a right, and go straight. 

Psyche: Okay. 

As Psyche got up, Albedo raises her hand a bit.

Albedo: Oh, and Psyche?

She looks at Albedo as she puts down her hand.

Albedo: Once again, I'm really sorry for the inconvenience. I hope this doesn't give you a bad impression of the school.

Psyche: B got me to safety, and blasted the gryphons into dust. I think it makes you guys look good.

Albedo: Well, I suppose. But I also had a word with B that you gave her commands as the two of you were being pursued. 

Psyche scratches her head nervously with her right and looked to the side.

Psyche: Well, I don't-

Albedo: In fact,-

Albedo leaned forward in curiosity.

Albedo: It was your idea to fly into a dwarf's burrow, fly out the other side and blast the gryphons as they came out of the burrow. With such quick thinking, I could only suspect you have prior experience?

Psyche went pfft and waved the comment with a little blush. 

Psyche: That was just, y'know, video games.

Albedo arched her eyebrow and a sly smile curled from her lips.

Albedo: Mhm. Video games. Well, whatever the case, you must get going. The principal is about to give his welcoming address to the new students. The covered court, take a left to the lobby, then a right to the central hub, and go straight.

Psyche: Alright. Thanks.

She gets up and goes for the door.

Psyche: I guess I'll see you around, Ms. Albedo?

Albedo chuckles. 

Albedo: If you're lucky, the only place we'll be seeing each other is outside my office.

As Psyche walked out of the office, she stepped foot into a red hallway, with white tiled floors and white fluorescent bulbs to light the way, attached to the hay yellow ceiling. Well, this is finally it, Psyche thought. My first day. But as she took a left turn, she had a disturbed look on her as she walked by.