The hall fills with a gentle chime as the crowd starts to leave, and conversations create a buzzing static sound. Some are excited, others are confused. Some people look back at me, doubting if I existed in reality or if I was simply a group illusion.
"Hi, new incoming students to the School of Variations, I am Julian."
The older student dressed in a dark navy blazer with gold trim stands out as a senior.
"Please follow my lead to receive your dormitory assignments," Julian smiles.
Zach tilts his head toward me. "Looks like we're the overachievers now."
Will chuckles, "Sharing air with two hybrids and the Paragon feels impossible to me. The rarefied air will be too thin for my lungs."
Claude Clement stands quietly beside us as he joins our group. His emerald eyes dart towards mine for a brief moment and I sense a piercing sensation crossing between us. Not hostility—but something close to challenge. He's ahead of us by a subtle distance as though guided by instinct.
"Your dormitory will be in the Solara Tower," Julian states.
Julian then directs us to a separate corridor adjacent to the main hall where walls lined with lanterns change brightness based on our movement. Everything in Velmara is alive with magic.
"Special accommodations for the hybrids. It's nearer to both the training spires and our personal mana wells." He turns to check on us.
"Make good use of them," Julians says as he leaves.
Our entrance into the marble-floored tower lobby reveals a majestic staircase that spirals upward beside a translucent elevator rune. The ceiling displays a faint glowing sigil which represents Velmara.
"I call top bunk," Zach says immediately.
"There are no bunks," Claude replies flatly. "This isn't a barracks."
A small text bubble briefly appears before my eyes.
[This individual shows a high level of interest in you. Not romantically of course.]
Will chuckles, elbowing me. "Gonna be a fun year."
I then look at Will.
[He is worth your trust. I don't see any negative energy in his eyes or his mana]
Upon approaching the elevator the glowing stone emits a single pulse which scans us through a glimmer of blue light. A soft mechanical chime follows.
[Aetherplate synced]
Will then informs us that we can now use our Aetherplates.
My wrist feels a smooth cold vibration pulse against its surface. I take a quick look at my wristwatch to see the slender silver band which displays a subtle circuit pattern that softly illuminates. Then, with a thought, I activate it.
A clear panel rises before my eyes as if it were a projection materialized from my thoughts.
[1. Personal Stats 2. Storage Space 3. Skills 4. Gears/Weapons/Relics]
I then select personal stats.
[Name: Julius Valendestine
Lvl: 3
Classrank: 6/532
Strength: 7 (Average at current lvl: 5)
Stamina: 6 (Average at current lvl: 5)
Speed: 7 (Average at current lvl: 5)
Intelligence: 13 (Does not increase with upgrading)
Mana Limit - Average
Special Traits: Codex 099: Spectator's Eyes (Passive – Displays informational overlays based on observed stimuli. Accuracy scales with user perception and emotional focus.)
Multi-Class Potential Detected]
A sharp whistle echoes down the hall.
"Julius! Zachery! Willam! Claude!" a voice barks from the end of the corridor.
We all turn. The tall woman in sharp grey robes holds a crystal tablet and her wrist features a ribbon of golden light that surrounds it. Her nametag reads:
Dormitory Coordinator – A. Ryelle.
She commands us sternly saying: "You four come with me."
"Follow close. They shift positions if you wander."
Will arches a brow. "They shift?"
I march behind the others following Coordinator Ryelle through the marble halls which echo our movement. The intricate glyphwork woven through the floor produces a faint hum with every footstep we make. Stained-glass murals decorate the walls showing legendary awakenings from Velmara's history. Maybe I can happen to be in there too.
I sense reality pulsating when we make the corner turn.
The hallway ahead transforms into a grand open-air walkway that spirals upward after the corridor starts to shimmer. Floating lanterns drift beside it. At the top: The multi-towered structure stands gracefully amidst glowing crystal vines.
Our steps carry us through the curved entryway leading to the Arxus Wing. The interior space maintains cool temperatures and carries a subtle mint and ozone fragrance. The glass walls reveal the outside twisting patterns of aether streams. The dormitory appears more like an upscale resort situated high in the sky than a conventional school edifice.
Ryelle guides us to a common room that features a chandelier floating in space with spiraling runes and several soft couches positioned in a circular arrangement. There are 4 different rooms in there and she explains that everyone gets their own room.
Claude rolls his eyes. "Naturally."
Each student receives a thin silver card from her which has their name and an elegant rune embossed on the reverse side. "This is your dorm seal. Don't lose it."
She spins around and walks away down the hallway before we get the chance to speak to her while she shouts commands to another group of students.
Zach tosses his card up into the air before catching it again. "Well… time to claim the best room."
"No way," Will says. "That one on the left's mine."
I follow them while I absorb every detail—the building design and the enchanting air combined with a faint buzz inside my chest.
The threshold to a new reality swung open and I walked right into it.
[Enjoy the quiet while it lasts, Paragon. The atmosphere around here stirs in a very peculiar way.]