The school's entrance was massive, so many students in different uniforms going in.
As Rowan and Asher approached the entrance, there stood two statues made of gold, on the right and the left.
On the left, there was a statue of a man who stood proudly, and by his side was a magnificent dragon, Sagea, which was carved in exquisite detail.
Its wings were spread wide as if it were ready to take flight.
On the right, a female Sagea master who stood with dignity, her gaze was introspective and wise.
A salamander, Sagea, was depicted at her feet, its body coiled around a staff as if transmitting the master's energy.
"Well, here we are..." Rowan sounded nervous.
All the students who entered had bright smiles on their faces. Most of them were also nervous.
Rowan and Ahser made their way in, and they were greeted by a warm, golden light, several wooden doors adorned with intricate carvings of Sageas and mystical symbols.
A large disc, just like the one that had delivered the message to Rowan hovered mid-air and projected a screen which attracted everyone's attention.
It had an arrow pointing to the right "Attention all, please make your way to the assembly hall on the right, thank you."
The Grand Assembly hall of Ravenhurst Academy was a majestic high-ceilinged chamber that embodied the school's tradition.
The walls were lined with rows of tall, narrow windows, each one filled with stained glass depictions of various Sagea casting kaleidoscopic patterns across the shiny wooden floor.
The seats were arranged in a tiered, semicircular pattern, with the Auric Circle and Argentum Tier students seated in the front rows, closest to the podium.
The Aerius Group, Terra Circle, and Umbrax students occupied the remaining seats, each section clearly defined yet united in their shared experience.
Rowan sat in the front row. he found out he belonged to the Auric circle, the top percent of students with exceptionally powerful Sageas.
His uniform was one of the privileged which had the golden crystal symbol and a turquoise cloak.
"Welcome! Chosen students of Ravenhurst Academy". The headmaster, Maverick, was an elderly man, strict and a disciplinarian.
A smile never crossed the old man's face as he was austere with himself and was the type who pushed students beyond their limits.
Rumor had it that he had two Sageas, maybe even the only human who had accomplished such.
Maverick had a skilled two-headed python and a white panther.
He stood at the podium and stretched out his hand, making a white portal to appear, which delivered a paper to each student.
"These are the rules handed to you, you are expected to learn them by heart as of tomorrow. Even though it's your very first day here, you're all grown up and are capable of accomplishing little tasks like this".
He paused and looked around as if searching for a particular person.
"By now..." he continued "...you have all noticed that you have been segregated, not only do your uniforms tell that, but where you sit, the classes you have, exams, the activities you do, and the tasks you complete"
"Every year, each group, Auric, Argentum, Aerius, Terra, and Umbrax, will take an exam altogether, where each of you will battle each other to improve your strength, skills, and enhance your Sagea's powers."
"Of course, the Umbrax students who do not have their Sageas yet will also be partaking in the exam"
This information was easy for Asher to process; all he had to do was play along with the Umbrax students.
But how was he going to do the exam without using his Sagea?
"The umbrax students will be learning how to use spells for both the offensive and defensive" Maverick continued.
"There will be no breaks for the Umbrax group"
The students began to murmur. "We are unlucky. Why send us here when we're not of age to receive our Sageas yet? We'd have to endure the mockery from the higher classes" A girl who sat next to Asher complained.
He was surprised at how she admitted it plainly, and he nodded in response.
The girl turned to look at Asher, the curly ginger-haired guy, Asher was slim but masculine, and he had hazel brown eyes and freckles at the bridge of his nose with a piercing on his left ear.
"You agree with me ginger baby?" She asked with a smile. She too, had freckles on her face.
The girl had pale skin, a sharp jawline, and round eyes. She also had wavy black hair, which was up to her shoulders, and her voice was soothing.
Asher thought about how she addressed him as 'ginger baby' and felt his face grow hot.
"Uh yeah, the name's Asher," He said.
"Remi Faye, you can call me Remi" she replied.
"As of today, you will be taken around the Academy, to learn about how things are done here, what times your classes are and where they take place and also, the type of tasks you would complete"
"Your teachers will call your group shortly and you will go with them. Dismissed"
With that said, Maverick disappeared. The students remained.
"So...Asher was it? Reminds me of the guy who got a squirrel Sagea" Remi chuckled.
They knew. Asher froze, but part of him was relief that his very first friend did not realize it was him and he decided to play along.
"Haha! Yeah...That's so lame, we'll he's unlucky".
Remi turned to looked at him surprised at his response "I wouldn't say that...it might be strange but he's fifteen, forget the fact he was bonded with a squirrel and focus on his age!"
Asher was speechless, maybe it wasn't too bad to accept what he had gotten.
The teachers called them out in groups, Rowan did belong to the Auric Circle, he was recognized by most students and was already fitting in.
As for Asher, he was trying to get along with them, deciding what character he should be and how he should act.
"Looks like we're sticking together after all" Remi nudged him on the side gently, bringing him back to reality.
Asher had learned a little about Remi; she had bright personality and also, he knew not to mess with her for a weird reason.
They belonged to the Umbrax group, the vulnerable students.
Their teacher took them to the battle field, it was spacious, and twice the size of the foundation of the Academy.
"Just how enormous is this school anyway?" A student asked.
"Well, at least we've got a decent place to present ourselves" Another student added.
"This is where you would learn spells and use them" The teacher explained as they carried on walking.
The Auric group also came by to see the place and just as they were going in opposite direction, Rowan waved to his brother, but Asher's actions were unreal.
Asher simply turned away like he was unaware. "You know that chick?" A guy asked.
Rowan frowned as his defensive side took over "He's no chick, and I do know him".
The student, Fang, chuckled.
He was given the name Fang because of his venomous Sagea, Cora.
Cora was a sleek, slender build cobra which stretched over 12ft in length, she was massive, and fiery red.
Her fangs were 7cm long was a thick as Fang's forearms.
After Fang's bonding ritual, he had grown fangs in the next couple hours which was an evidence of a deep connection.
"Relax dude, so the chick is your friend, heh?" Fang asked, he was enthusiastic and didn't give a care in the world what anyone said about his character.
Rowan did all he could to ignore his presence but Fang was all over him like a pet.