"We are here, sir," a hoarse voice with a hint of tiredness said to me from the front of the carriage. I stirred awake, paid the driver, then got out. I was greeted with warm sunlight.
Standing in front of a wide entrance, I took in the sight—me, a young black-haired boy with brown eyes, towering above my peers and even adults. I always stood out around normal people in my hometown because of my handsome face, but compared to where I currently was, I looked plain—even though I was dressed the best I ever had: a long black trench coat with a split front, black trousers, and boots. No crest or symbol to represent my family, because I had none. Most people here effortlessly outshone me.
This is the biggest academy in the realm—Lyceum. There are scores of academies scattered across the realm, but this is where all the students of each academy graduate from. An academy made for people like me: Rousers.
Rousers are beings with supernatural abilities. Each Rouser has a unique ability solely for them. And there is a rank for them. Those who graduate are called Rousers and are at the lowest rank, E.
Today is the day I graduate from the academy. I walked toward the entrance with a wide smile on my face.
"Custos!" a young boy with curly blonde hair and black eyes approached me. He is shorter than I am, but people might think he is stronger because of his bulky build. He wore a yellow linen top with an intricate design in front; his pants were blue. His bright smile showed how happy he was. He is my close friend from the academy we came from. His name is Charles. "You are awfully late. What happened on the way?"
"Well, nothing really happened," I said while scratching the back of my head. Nothing did happen; I was just so excited that I couldn't sleep well until morning, which made me late.
There was a roaring crowd up front, so I asked, "What is happening?"
Charles looked toward the crowd. "The princess of House Crimson is here, so they say."
"Oh really? I wish to see her!" I ran toward the crowd, squeezing through the people. I couldn't get to the front, but thanks to my height, I could still see her.
There on the pavement leading to the hall stood a stunning young girl with red eyes and hair. Her skin was smooth like the sculpture of a master artisan's finest masterpiece. Her hair was styled with two bangs at the back, though it was clearly long. She wasn't petite, yet not too big. She was almost my height. Her eyes were sharp and fiery, but her face was calm, and her smile soothing—even though it wasn't completely genuine. I've seen a lot of beautiful girls and women in my sixteen years of life, yet I could say this was the most beautiful I had ever seen. I even found it hard to breathe for a moment while mesmerized by her beauty. She was truly dazzling amidst the crowd. Most Rousers were always more beautiful or handsome than the typical human, but this girl was in a class of her own. She wore a plain red dress with the Crimson family crest on it.
Charles finally made it to my side.
"She's the definition of breathtaking. I found it hard to breathe for a couple of moments," I told him.
Charles snorted. "I can't see her." So I lifted him with one arm.
"I told you to stop lifting me like that!" he complained, but I didn't reply.
After seeing the princess, Charles calmed down. He too was in awe. "She's really beautiful. I see why people are going crazy."
"I wish I could get close to her," I said as I dropped him.
Charles seemed to drift into deep thought and asked, "Do you think a nobody like me can get close to her if I become her slave?"
I thought for a while. 'That doesn't sound like a bad idea, but we should wait.'
"Why?" Charles asked, confused.
"Because there might be more exquisite girls to come. Some might already be inside." I grinned. 'I feel like today is about to become the best day of my life. Well, it already is, but it's going to get better.'
"You made a valid point."
A calm feminine voice came from behind us.
We both looked back with confusion on our faces. Then she said, "What? I also love beautiful girls. In fact, I'd like to become the slave of one."
Charles and I sized her up at the same time.
The girl was anything but ordinary—in fact, she was truly stunning. It was like the universe purposely brought her here to confirm my previous thought. 'This girl might even be competing with the princess of the Crimson clan in comeliness!'
She was as tall as Charles, with short black hair and emerald-green eyes. She wore glasses—Rousers didn't need those except in special cases. She had on a sleeveless plain black gown with a white belt, along with black gloves reaching all the way to her elbows. A choker with a gem-like stone rested at her neck.
Charles looked calm on the outside, but he was really flustered and tense. He doesn't have much experience with girls, despite loving them so much. A girl this pretty talking to him was a lot to handle.
I looked toward him and told him to compose himself. He whispered heavily, "Why is she talking to us? Wait—scratch that. Is she okay in the head?"
'Doesn't seem so,' I replied calmly.
A slender hand touched Charles on the back. "What's wrong with him?"
Charles slowly looked at her, then spoke softly, "You are so pretty I could die."
I snorted, and when she looked up, my face was already calm again.
She smiled at Charles. "Thanks for the compliment. You're not bad yourself."
"Do you want to give him a nosebleed?" I asked jokingly.
"What? He can handle himself perfectly. Right...?" She looked curiously toward him.
"Charles," he said, trying to act composed. "And yes, I can perfectly handle myself."
I whispered, "Your heart is pounding faster than how Serbia can beat his drum." Serbia was our academy drummer, but unfortunately he couldn't graduate with us.
Charles elbowed me, and I groaned slightly.
The girl looked up at me. "Do you think I am unattractive?"
"No. Why would I think that?" She looked doubtful, so I added, "I do find you undeniably attractive. You and the princess of the Crimson clan are both up there."
"That is such a nice compliment—to be compared to my to-be master. Why did you snort when he called me pretty, then?"
"If you knew the context of that moment, you'd want to laugh too."
At that moment, a loud voice boomed around us: "Everyone can come in now! It's time to begin the event!"
I looked confused. "Have all the important guests come?"
"I said you were late, dimwit," Charles replied.
"Oh well, we'll get to see them inside."
I turned to the girl. "What is your name, milady?"
She smiled. "Chara. My name is Chara."
"Shall we go have some fun, Chara?"
"How much fun can you have?"
"More than you, I presume."
We walked toward the hall together.
Charles, still dazed, whispered to me, "She might be my soulmate."
I looked at him, perplexed, then realized what he meant. 'No, idiot. It's just a coincidence.'
"Shall we do this?" I asked, looking at the elegant door in front of us.
"No, we shall not," Charles replied as he lifted a clenched fist. I met his fist with mine.
"Can I join in on that too?" Chara asked.
We both extended our fists, and she met ours with hers. Then we stepped inside the hall.
At the entrance stood two individuals encased in robes. We couldn't tell their features. They looked really shady.
One of them pointed toward us. "I found another two. How many more to go?" It was a male voice.
A female voice answered, "Three more to go."
The male-voiced one looked at us. "See you guys later. Hopefully you won't break."
Then they left, leaving us confused.
"Who are those?" Charles asked.
Chara answered calmly, "They are probably the recruiters."
"Recruiters are supposed to look shady like that?" I asked.
"Well, you don't need to worry. They can't do anything to us here. Let's just enjoy today," Chara said, trying to ease the tension.
"Can't let a bunch of suspicious people ruin the day now," I said, trying to act tough.
Then we moved inside.