The portal door led them straight inside the academy, bypassing all the doors proceeding to the assembly hall. For some reason, Cheryl actually felt comfortable around the unknown man who guided him around the academy.
Cheryl glanced back through the window behind him as he stepped through the portal doorway and noticed they ascended.
The assembly was at a higher plateau than the academy gates, which felt weird since he didn't notice it back when he was at the academy gates.
'It climbs higher the deeper we go, but it's camouflaged with the surroundings, so it's hard to notice.' He noticed, glancing away.
"Hey, uhm…why is the academy built this way? Is there any reason for the absurd architecture?" He asked the man who looked like he didn't want to be here with Cheryl.
"Look, kid. I don't know why the academy does anything, alright?. And it's not my job to figure any of it out because that's not within my paycheck, so just follow me so I can get you to the assembly hall on time." He sighed, slipping the cigarette back in between his lips and closing the portal doorway.
Cheryl finally noticed he was annoyed about being here at the academy for some reason, and from his response, he actually worked here at the academy.
'He's probably one of the academy's guides who help new students every year to find the assembly hall.' He guessed, fixing his bag properly behind his back and following him deeper into the academy grounds.
They finally arrived at a bronze colored door that stood tall over them. With one push, the door opened up to thousands of students, new faces he had never seen before.
All turned at their arrival, but none seemed old enough to be the academy's principal or teachers. As of the moment, only the man guiding Cheryl looked like the oldest in the room.
"Stay here until the assembly starts, I have to go meet up with the others. Man, I'm late." He sighed, walking off and leaving Cheryl with the thousands of unfamiliar faces he had never seen before.
'This is kind of awkward.' He stared nervously at the onlookers.
He walked to the corner and stood quietly as he was instructed, trying not to draw attention towards himself.
He stood nervously until he heard voices that felt familiar startle him into glancing around.
Their eyes met for that brief moment, and they both immediately recognised him.
'What? Dad just left these two alone? That's so unlike him, where is he?" He looked around, trying to find a figure or face that looked like their Dad.
Before he could finish analysing the crowd, they both had already reached close to him, jumping like they had just seen someone they were fond of.
"Big brother Cheryl!" Alec called out, holding his hand briefly before letting go.
Cheryl glanced around and noticed everyone's eyes staring at the small family.
Out of nervousness, he bent low, dropping his bag to the ground.
"Hey, don't call me that when we're in school, alright?. Call me Cheryl while we're in school, okay?" He advised them, recalling his father's words.
'If anyone noticed we were related in any way, then they'll know I'm from the Bellingham family, and link the two together to know these two are my siblings and Dad will definitely not like it if that happens.'
The twins stared at him, confused because they were already used to calling him that. Now, he's telling them not to associate themselves with him.
"Why is that big brother?" Alec asked curiously, staring at Cheryl with a raised eyebrow.
"It's a long story, just when we're around people, call me Cheryl, okay?" He whispered, feeling a bit uncomfortable with the decision he had made but couldn't change it because of the circumstances he found himself in.
They both nodded before a bell rang, and everyone turned to the sound of the bell.
It came from above, but it wasn't what their attention was supposed to be drawn to.
A man descended a white platform, slowly coming down as the platform formed below his feet, guiding him down until he stood just above their heads.
"Welcome to the Aurelius Academy, a place to mould your skills to the Apex of their worth." He spoke with a loud voice, echoing the walls of the assembly hall.
'Who is this,' he questioned himself, staring at the outfit to try and make sense of what his position might be.
He wore a golden apparel that cascaded down to his feet, and on his feet, he wore blue sandals hanging on his feet.
His beard was grey and big, covering his jawline like a white foam.
"Sadly, a very important guest won't be here today, hence we've shifted the date for your introductions to another day and you will be informed of the date in due time."
"For the next few days, make yourselves feel comfortable on the academy grounds and stay close to your assigned guardians at all times until you've been assigned units and sectors." He warned with a fierce look on his face.
"It is truly an honour to have you all today, you will be shown to your various dormitories by the seniors over the different sectors, please be on your best behaviour around them. Do not by any chance disrespect them as the punishment is severe."
"The rest of the information will be relayed on your orientation day, afterwards you'll all receive your various uniforms and gadgets as well as your assigned tutors to guide and train you until you get stronger or possibly graduate."
"Now please turn around and walk carefully to the next room where you'll be guided to your various dormitories for rest and leisure."
"And also" he recalled, calling back the children who already wore boredom on their faces from listening to him speak.
"Classes will begin the week after orientation, so prepare yourself smartly ahead of time to grow stronger than your peers." He advised with a smile before waving them all off.
"Cheerio, have a good day." He snapped his fingers and disappeared out of sight, leaving the students alone in the large empty hall once more....